PrepMaticThirukkural · பொருட்பால் · நட்பியல்
மருந்து: Medicine
About this chapter
மருந்து, medicine, is unusual in the Thirukkural for its practical, almost clinical tone. Its first half is about eating and health, and its second half is about the physician's task.
Kural 941 says that excess or deficiency in the three that medical writers count, starting with வளி (wind), causes disease. Kurals 942 to 944 give the core advice: no medicine is needed for one who eats only when what was eaten earlier has been digested, one should eat in measure, and one should eat what agrees with one, when truly hungry. Kurals 945 to 947 state the results. Moderate eating of food that agrees spares the body harm (Kural 945), pleasure stays with the moderate eater as disease stays with the glutton (Kural 946), and one who eats too much without judgement suffers disease without measure (Kural 947). Kurals 948 and 949 turn to the physician, saying he must examine the disease, its cause and its cure before treating it, and must take account of the patient, the illness and the season. Kural 950 closes with the four parts of the art of medicine: the patient, the physician, the medicine and the attendant.
Kural 942 is the one to know, for the claim that a body needs no medicine when food is taken in proper order. Kural 946 is a useful companion.
For the syllabus, it fits everyday life, in the form of health and diet.
The 10 kurals of மருந்து
Each kural is shown in Tamil with a transliteration and G. U. Pope's English verse translation. Open a kural for its plain English meaning.
மிகினும் குறையினும் நோய்செய்யும் நூலோர்
வளிமுதலா எண்ணிய மூன்று.
Mikinum Kuraiyinum Noiseyyum Noolor
Valimudhalaa Enniya Moondru
The learned books count three, with wind as first; of these, As any one prevail, or fail; 'twill cause disease
மருந்தென வேண்டாவாம் யாக்கைக்கு அருந்தியது
அற்றது போற்றி உணின்.
Marundhena Ventaavaam Yaakkaikku Arundhiyadhu
Atradhu Potri Unin
No need of medicine to heal your body's pain, If, what you ate before digested well, you eat again
அற்றால் அறவறிந்து உண்க அஃதுடம்பு
பெற்றான் நெடிதுய்க்கும் ஆறு.
Atraal Aravarindhu Unka Aqdhutampu
Petraan Netidhuykkum Aaru
Who has a body gained may long the gift retain, If, food digested well, in measure due he eat again
அற்றது அறிந்து கடைப்பிடித்து மாறல்ல
துய்க்க துவரப் பசித்து.
Atradhu Arindhu Kataippitiththu Maaralla
Thuykka Thuvarap Pasiththu
Knowing the food digested well, when hunger prompteth thee, With constant care, the viands choose that well agree
மாறுபாடு இல்லாத உண்டி மறுத்துண்ணின்
ஊறுபாடு இல்லை உயிர்க்கு.
Maarupaatu Illaadha Unti Maruththunnin
Oorupaatu Illai Uyirkku
With self-denial take the well-selected meal; So shall thy frame no sudden sickness feel
இழிவறிந்து உண்பான்கண் இன்பம்போல் நிற்கும்
கழிபேர் இரையான்கண் நோய்.
Izhivarindhu Unpaankan Inpampol Nirkum
Kazhiper Iraiyaankan Noi
On modest temperance as pleasures pure, So pain attends the greedy epicure
தீயள வன்றித் தெரியான் பெரிதுண்ணின்
நோயள வின்றிப் படும்.
Theeyala Vandrith Theriyaan Peridhunnin
Noyala Vindrip Patum
Who largely feeds, nor measure of the fire within maintains, That thoughtless man shall feel unmeasured pains
நோய்நாடி நோய்முதல் நாடி அதுதணிக்கும்
வாய்நாடி வாய்ப்பச் செயல்.
Noinaati Noimudhal Naati Adhudhanikkum
Vaainaati Vaaippach Cheyal
Disease, its cause, what may abate the ill:Let leech examine these, then use his skill
உற்றான் அளவும் பிணியளவும் காலமும்
கற்றான் கருதிச் செயல்.
Utraan Alavum Piniyalavum Kaalamum
Katraan Karudhich Cheyal
The habitudes of patient and disease, the crises of the illThese must the learned leech think over well, then use his skill
உற்றவன் தீர்ப்பான் மருந்துழைச் செல்வானென்று
அப்பால் நாற் கூற்றே மருந்து.
Utravan Theerppaan Marundhuzhaich Chelvaanendru
Appaal Naar Kootre Marundhu
For patient, leech, and remedies, and him who waits by patient's side, The art of medicine must fourfold code of laws provide
How Thirukkural is asked in TNPSC exams
Find your weak TNPSC units before the exam does
Take a free TNPSC assessment on PrepMatic. It shows where you stand across General Tamil, General Studies and Aptitude, then builds a day-by-day study plan and mock tests focused on your weak subjects.
Start free assessment →Free forever plan · No credit card · 2-minute setup